The North Rail Yards project has recently taken a giant leap forward with the naming of its first board member and chair of the company to oversee the city-shaping project, with experienced local businessman John Rosel securing a seat at the head of the table.
The North Rail Yards is set to be an active and exciting precinct in the heart of Townsville City, providing contemporary use of the rail heritage buildings while retaining key architectural form and historical elements.
Mr Rosel, a Townsville local with extensive experience in property development, including attraction of investors, plans to use his expertise to head the Council-formed company and oversee the development of the North Rail Yards.
Deputy Mayor and Council’s Planning and Development Committee chair, Mark Molachino, says Mr Rosel has excellent knowledge of North Rail Yards, including the site constraints.
“John will lead the way as the North Rail Yards company looks to formalise the sites as the southern gateway into Townsville City,” Cr Molachino says.
“Council has a vision to see this project contain high-density residential housing with commercial and cultural activities that educate and celebrate our city’s heritage and future.
“The development of the Townsville North Rail Yards presents a significant opportunity to reconnect the City of Townsville to its past and create a unique and exciting offering within the Waterfront Priority Development Area (PDA).”
Mr Rosel says he is excited to be involved with the city building project to help deliver a great outcome for the people of Townsville.
“The North Rail Yards has been a long time in the making and has had to overcome many hurdles. However, the intensive work that council has done on this site, to overcome those hurdles and mitigate the risk, has brought us to this point,” he says.
“There is still a lot of work ahead, but this is an exciting opportunity, and one I am honoured to lead for Townsville.”
For more information or to register your interest in North Rail Yards as a developer or commercial entity please visit northrailyards.com.au.
Main image: North Rail Yards (artist impression)
All images supplied by Townsville City Council
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